The UK's policing minister has waded into a debate over anti-discrimination guidance for police, suggesting that telling officers to treat black and white suspects differently "gives the wrong impression." The comments come amid protests in Southampton following the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, whose death has been seized upon by far-right figures to attack race-conscious policing.
Two people were arrested after unrest in Southampton following the sentencing of Nowak's killer, Vickrum Digwa, who told police at the scene of the stabbing on 3 December 2025 that he had been the victim of a racist attack. Far-right activist Tommy Robinson spoke at a "Justice for Henry Nowak" protest outside Southampton central police station, though Nowak's family have said they do not want his death "used to inflame division or hostility."
The policing minister, Sarah Jones, condemned the violence but also criticised the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) anti-racism guidance, which advises treating ethnic minorities differently to achieve better outcomes. The NPCC has announced a review of the guidance, which some have blamed for the actions of officers who arrested Nowak. Jones told the BBC's Today programme: "We think the language is wrong and it gives the wrong impression."
Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy added fuel to the fire by claiming the criminal justice system is "being corrupted by political correctness and leftwing ideology." Jones rejected that characterisation but endorsed the NPCC review, insisting that "everyone must be equal under the law."
The NPCC's anti-racism commitment states it aims for "equality of policing outcomes" by responding to individuals according to their specific needs, not by treating everyone the same. Critics, including Reform UK and the Conservatives, argue such policies have led to a rollback of policing standards, with Reform proposing an "equal treatment act" that would prohibit police race action plans and end exemptions for Sikhs to carry large bladed knives.
Reform's home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf claimed Nowak's death was "a direct result" of police race action plans, while NPCC chair Gavin Stephens defended the intent of the guidance, saying it aims to "improve the quality of policing." Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also weighed in, calling for a sweep of "historic, incoherent nonsense" brought in under the guise of anti-racism.
Concerns remain that the circumstances of Nowak's death are being used to undermine changes introduced after the Macpherson report into the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence. As one might expect, the debate over how to achieve equality has become anything but equal in its tempers.